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Slow down and live a little

I’m checking out of the fast lane. I’ve said it before but this time I mean it.

I know my readers are tired of hearing about my inability to slow down and pay attention to detail, but today it got way out of hand when I caught myself eating lunch and flossing at the same time.

I begin each day promising myself to live mindfully and do one thing at a time, but before my feet hit the floor I’m bouncing off the walls and have bruises to prove it. The results are that the days fly by as we put our lives on auto pilot, not really getting the satisfaction out of living that was meant for us.

As we grow up and fill our days with more busyness, time seems to fly by faster and faster. Of course, we know that time is moving at the same rate as it did during childhood, when lazy summer days seemed to stretch on infinitely. But what’s changed is our perception of time. According to how the brain perceives time passing determines whether our days feel luxuriously long, or short and harried — and it’s something that we have a certain level of control over. By paying attention and actively noticing new things, we can slow time down. At least that’s supposed to work.

Here are a few tips to make time count according to Leo Babouta who edits a blog on zen habits:

1. Do less. It’s hard to slow down when you are trying to do a million things. Instead, make the conscious choice to do less. Focus on what’s really important, what really needs to be done, and let go of the rest. Put space between tasks and appointments, so you can move through your days at a more leisurely pace.

2. Be present. It’s not enough to just slow down — you need to actually be mindful of whatever you’re doing at the moment. That means, when you find yourself thinking about something you need to do, or something that’s already happened, or something that might happen … gently bring yourself back to the present moment. Focus on what’s going on right now. On your actions, on your environment, on others around you. This takes practice but is essential.

3. Disconnect. Don’t always be connected. If you carry around an iPhone or Blackberry or other mobile device, shut it off. Better yet, learn to leave it behind when possible. If you work on a computer most of the day, have times when you disconnect so you can focus on other things. Being connected all the time means we’re subject to interruptions, we’re constantly stressed about information coming in, we are at the mercy of the demands of others. It’s hard to slow down when you’re always checking new messages coming in.

4. Focus on people. Too often we spend time with friends and family, or meet with colleagues, and we’re not really there with them. We talk to them but are distracted by devices. We are there, but our minds are on things we need to do. We listen, but we’re really thinking about ourselves and what we want to say. None of us are immune to this, but with conscious effort you can shut off the outside world and just be present with the person you’re with. This means that just a little time spent with your family and friends can go a long way — a much more effective use of your time, by the way. It means we really connect with people rather than just meeting with them.

5. Appreciate nature. Many of us are shut in our homes and offices and cars and trains most of the time, and rarely do we get the chance to go outside. And often even when people are outside, they’re talking on their cell phones. Instead, take the time to go outside and really observe nature, take a deep breath of fresh air, enjoy the serenity of water and greenery. Exercise outdoors when you can, or find other outdoor activities to enjoy such as nature walks, hiking, swimming, etc. Feel the sensations of water and wind and earth against your skin. Try to do this daily — by yourself or with loved ones.

3 thoughts on “Slow down and live a little”

A couple of years ago I would ask myself if I would be glad I gave up whatever time I spent doing something when I was sitting in my rocker on the front porch. Hmm I had to re-evaluate. One, I was at the age to sit on my front porch in the rocker, and 2, that included important stuff like gricery shopping which I sometimes don’t enjoy. Well, it sounded good in the beginning. Lol.